Wesleyville Baptist Church serves the Borough of Wesleyville in Erie County, Pennsylvania, from its address at 3509 Buffalo Road in Erie. Founded in 1890, this roughly 150-member American Baptist congregation is known for a family-centered Sunday rhythm: Sunday School for every age at 9:00 a.m., worship at 10:15 a.m., music shared by a praise team, choir, bell choir and dancers, and care for children through Junior Church, nursery, preschool and after-school programs. Its ministry also reaches beyond the church building through a food pantry, mission giving and partnerships that support families and people experiencing homelessness.
A Baptist Presence Since 1890
Wesleyville Baptist Church has called Wesleyville home for more than a century. It is an American Baptist congregation that has sought to be a place where people worship, grow in faith, serve others and build meaningful relationships. That four-part aim has remained consistent across generations of members, Sunday School teachers, musicians, children's programs and mission partners. The congregation's work is supported by members who take part in the ministries, programs and initiatives that make up the life of the church.
The church's mission is Welcome People To Explore The Complete Love Of Jesus! Four values describe the character it wants to embody: biblical roots, fellowship, friendliness and strong relationships. Its strategy turns those values into four areas of work.
- Children's ministries, connected to Proverbs 22:6, are a priority.
- Outreach, grounded in Matthew 25:35-40, directs attention to people in need.
- Music, represented by Psalm 98:4, is part of worship rather than an ornamental addition.
- Education, drawing on Romans 12:2 and Deuteronomy 11:19, places learning and spiritual formation at the center of congregational life.
Faith is at the heart of the church. The congregation believes in Jesus Christ and seeks to let his love and goodness guide words, actions and relationships. This Christ-centered conviction shapes the preaching, teaching, music and service that make up the church's regular life. The church describes its aim in practical terms: reflect the love of Christ in how people treat one another and share that love beyond the congregation.
Pastor Shane L. Thompson leads the congregation. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Theology at Gannon University after more than 25 years of dedication and previously served in leadership and human resources roles before entering full-time pastoral ministry. His pastoral priorities are ordered: his relationship with God first, his family second and the church third. He teaches that no ministry is carried alone and invites every member to share responsibility for the work of the church. Through preaching, teaching, counseling and community outreach, he seeks to point people toward Christ and to encourage lives marked by authentic faith and generous love.
Sunday School at Nine, Worship at 10:15
Sunday begins with learning and conversation at 9:00 a.m. Sunday School classes and small groups meet for about an hour before worship. The church provides multiple classrooms and a nursery, with groups for infants, children, youth and adults. Classes are organized by age, grade and shared interests so a visitor can find a group that fits. Adult classes gather for fellowship and coffee before a short Bible study centered on God's Word. Among the longstanding adult classes are Galilean and Friends for Christ, while youth classes cover Pre-K, primary, middler and junior or senior high grades. Older students join the Friends for Christ class for part of the morning.
At 10:15 a.m., the congregation gathers for Sunday worship. The musical worship blends contemporary and traditional songs, with prayer and personal testimony helping worshippers prepare for biblical teaching. A typical service includes:
- Welcome and community news
- Songs of praise
- Responsive reading
- Music from the worship team
- Prayer
- The pastor's message
- Closing song
- Benediction
The service typically lasts 60 to 70 minutes, with the regular schedule running from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Communion is a regular part of the church's worship practice. The Lord's Supper is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday of each month, making it the focal point of the month's first gathering.
Music carries a prominent place in the service. The praise team, choir, bell choir and worship dancers may all take part, and special guests occasionally add to the program. Music is one of the four expressions of the church's ministry strategy, joined by children's ministries, outreach and education. That balance explains why a visitor may hear a blend of praise styles while also encountering classes for learning, service to children and fellowship around the church throughout the week.
Children are included in worship rather than treated as an afterthought. Junior Church welcomes children ages 3 to 5 and students in kindergarten through grade 4 during the service. A nursery is available for children age 3 and under. These ministries give younger worshippers age-appropriate ways to participate while their families remain in the service.
The congregation also worships beyond its walls. Sunday worship is livestreamed through YouTube and Facebook, and previous services and sermons can be watched on the church's YouTube channel. The same blend of praise, scripture, prayer and pastoral teaching that fills the sanctuary is therefore available to people joining from elsewhere.
Learning From Preschool Through After School
A major part of the church's service is provided through its Preschool and After-School Program. Together, the two programs serve more than 50 children and give families a safe, loving and nurturing Christian environment where children can learn, grow and build relationships. The programs also connect learning, care, meals, play and Christian formation in a practical daily rhythm.
The preschool is designed around physical, social and emotional, cognitive and language development, all with the aim of making kindergarten a positive transition. Classes are intentionally small, typically 12 to 15 students, which gives teachers more opportunity for individualized attention and meaningful learning. The curriculum follows Pennsylvania Department of Education Early Childhood Standards and is taught by certified lead teachers with experience, creativity and an emphasis on making learning engaging.
Christian formation is woven through the day alongside Bible stories, lessons and activities. The program provides nutritious snacks, progress reports for families, educational field trips and a Christmas program in which children celebrate and share with family and friends. Staffing and safety measures are clearly defined. Lead teachers are certified, assistants are at least 18 years old, and required background clearances include FBI clearance for working with children. Staff are certified in CPR, AED and first aid. Children are supervised at all times in a clean, safe and well-maintained environment, and the program maintains open communication with families.
The preschool schedule is divided by age. Children ages 3 to 4 meet Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. The class for children ages 4 to 5 meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the same hours. This structure gives families a choice of two or three mornings each week while preserving small groups and consistent classroom routines.
The After-School Program began in 2001 in response to the need for affordable, quality care in the Iroquois and Harborcreek communities. It serves children in kindergarten through grade 6 and operates Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. while school is in session. The daily rhythm includes short Bible lessons, snacks, homework time, playtime and activities that give children time to relax and form friendships. During the school year, the Iroquois School District provides transportation from school to the church, removing an important barrier for families whose children attend in that district.
Program Director Maggie Stiver oversees the Preschool and After-School Program with a team that includes qualified assistants. Its approach combines care and education without separating Christian teaching from the rest of the school-day experience. The result is a bridge between school and home, with children receiving academic support, a safe place to belong, meals, play and faith learning in one setting.
At worship times, the nursery and Junior Church continue that same child-centered emphasis. Whether a family arrives for Sunday School, the 10:15 service or a weekday program, the church offers age-appropriate ways for children to learn and be included.
Adult Groups and Fellowship Across the Generations
Adult fellowship is built around small groups that meet for Bible study, conversation and shared ministry. WBC Adult is open to people who are single, married, young or older, and the church describes its groups as places to dig deeper in God's Word while forming lasting relationships. This ministry extends the same Sunday School hour into adult fellowship: groups gather for coffee and conversation, then study a short passage or topic together. The emphasis is on learning in community and finding people with whom faith can be practiced throughout the week.
The Men's Fellowship Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month for food and discussion. Its leader organizes the gathering, and everyone is welcome. Secret Sisters is a women's ministry organized around encouragement throughout the year. Each woman supports a selected secret sister by remembering important dates, sending cards, offering small tokens on selected holidays and praying. The women reveal one another's identities at a Christmas party in December, turning an ongoing act of care into shared fellowship.
Sew Graciously meets on the first Saturday of each month and welcomes anyone interested in sewing or quilting. Beginners and skilled seamstresses and quilters are equally invited, making it both a creative ministry and a regular place of conversation. Fellowship on Fire adds another gathering for connection, while an annual church picnic and family nights create additional opportunities for shared meals, games and conversation.
The youth ministry is built around the same balance of belonging, faith and active learning. WBC Youth gives young people a loving and nurturing environment in which to ask questions, build confidence, discover their place in the world and develop a foundation in Christ. Faith, fellowship and purposeful activities support that process. The church's Music and Dance ministry provides another outlet for young people to participate in worship and creative expression.
Vacation Bible School is a major part of the children's ministry. VBS gatherings have used creative settings and interactive activities to connect Bible teaching with memorable experiences, including skits, music, science experiments and rotating activity stations. Families describe the annual program as a welcome community offering, and children look forward to it each summer.
The church also sends its youth and families into summer camp at Camp Judson in North Springfield, Pennsylvania. The camp combines Bible study with swimming, climbing, zip lines, archery, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, tubing, nature discovery, a hobby farm and crafts. Day and overnight options make the program relevant to children, teens and families. Music and Dance remains a distinct youth outlet, while the choir, special music and worship dancers give people of different ages ways to contribute their talents.
Serving Beyond Sunday
Community service is a visible expression of the church's mission and one of its four ministry priorities. The clearest example is the Wesleyville Inter-Faith Food Pantry, which opens on the third Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The pantry is located at The Wesley Center on South Street and Station Road, and participation is available to members and regular attenders who meet the stated income guidelines.
The church also supports Mercy Center for Women, an organization that provides safe and supportive transitional housing, education and support services for homeless women with or without children. Mercy Center also works toward permanent housing and support for men, women and children experiencing homelessness. Its work includes connections with social service agencies and volunteers to create continuing networks of support, mentoring and education. The environment is based on spirituality, responsibility and ethical values.
Among the church's mission commitments are the Camp Judson Scholarship, America For Christ, the Huster Family, support for retired ministers and missionaries, and food bags for Erie City Mission. These partnerships extend the church's mission giving beyond its own congregation. Giving is available online, and members can direct support to a particular ministry, allowing generosity to be shared with camp scholarships, local hunger relief, families and retired servants.
The After-School Program is community service with a daily presence. Its affordable schedule, transportation connection and combination of homework help, Bible lessons, snacks and play address a concrete need for local families. The preschool's high staff-to-child ratios, early learning standards and safety practices likewise support families while offering care close to home.
Outreach is not treated as a separate event from the life of the church. Matthew 25:35-40 is a guiding text, and the food pantry, mission partnerships and child-care ministries express that concern in practical ways. The worship service likewise sends people back into their homes, workplaces and neighborhoods with the expectation that faith should be visible in relationships and service.
The Ministry Team and the People Behind the Work
The ministry is carried by a small team of leaders and a much larger network of members. Pastor Shane Thompson provides biblical teaching and pastoral care while emphasizing shared responsibility. Vivian Wike serves as Sunday School Superintendent, helping guide the teaching ministry that meets across age groups. Craig Askins, the Choir Director, brings experience in education and community leadership and sees music as an expression of love for the Lord. Maggie Stiver leads the Preschool and After-School Program, where she and the staff combine educational care with the church's Christian setting.
The need for participation is not limited to these roles. The church has called for people to teach in Sunday School and care for children in the nursery, assist with Second Hour, sing in the choir, share special music, help on church work days and participate in the many ministries that sustain congregational life. This emphasis reflects the pastor's conviction that every person has a gift, every person has a place and every act of service matters.
That pattern is visible in the church's long history. Since 1890, generations have maintained Sunday School classes, worship, music, missions and children's care in the Borough of Wesleyville. The congregation's continuing identity is built on biblical roots, strong relationships and active service, with an eye toward the future.
A Welcoming Building in the Borough of Wesleyville
For anyone arriving for the first time, the practical details are straightforward. The church stands at 3509 Buffalo Road in Erie. Its parking lot is directly across the front door on Market Street, behind the Wesleyville Borough Building. The facility is handicap accessible. The church provides multiple classrooms and a nursery for Sunday School, and Junior Church is available during the worship service for children ages 3 to 5 and students in kindergarten through grade 4.
Worship can include the praise team, choir, bell choir and worship dancers, creating a varied musical service for the congregation. The main telephone number is (814) 899-9243. Sunday School begins at 9:00 a.m., worship begins at 10:15 a.m., and the regular schedule ends at 11:30 a.m. Communion falls on the first Sunday of the month.
For those unable to attend in person, the church's YouTube and Facebook channels carry the live Sunday service, and the YouTube channel also keeps earlier worship available. Online participation extends the same worship beyond the sanctuary while the local rhythm of classes and fellowship continues around it.
That combination of continuity and active care defines Wesleyville Baptist Church. A congregation begun in 1890 still centers Sunday around Scripture, prayer, songs of praise, teaching and the Lord's Supper. Around that worship sit small classes for adults, children's programs, monthly fellowship groups, a food pantry, mission partnerships and members who volunteer in many areas of ministry. Wesleyville Baptist Church remains rooted in biblical teaching while expressing its mission through practical care for children, families and neighbors in Erie County.